From serene water features to breathtaking and green building techniques, the architects, builders and landscape artists that won in this year’s Home of the Year competition pulled out all the stops. Flip through and marvel at the stunning spaces being modeled along the Gulf Coast.  

Best Overall Home— Over $2 Million

HOME OF THE YEAR PLATINUM

Anna Maria Residence 

Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture

The site is divided into three small buildable lots. The clients purchased the middle lot, a 56-foot-wide parcel facing the public beach across Anna Maria’s Bay Drive. The two neighboring properties will soon be under development. The 3,500-square-foot proposed residence is closely bounded by the four setback lines and is elevated a full story to meet a high flood elevation. The intent of the design was to reconnect the elevated house with the small remaining yard outside of the setback lines. From the living space, the house first descends three steps to an elevated pool to again step down another half flight of stairs to a raised wood deck outside of the setbacks. This allows the house to extend to usable exterior spaces visually connected to the interior. Two double height volumes placed at opposite corners of the floor plan tie the living levels together and add spatial interest to the circulation. The office on the top living level looks through the double height down to the pool below and the beach beyond. A roof terrace, accessed by an exterior stair, provides a private outdoor space in proximity to the master suite. 

Architect: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture  Contractor: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture  Builder: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture Interior Design: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture  Kitchen Cabinets: Porcelanosa Bathroom: Porcelanosa Landscape: Coast Outdoor Services Pool By: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture Photographer: William S. Speer Photography

 

Best Overall Home— Over $2 Million

HOME OF THE YEAR PLATINUM

Indlu Lamanzie 

DSDG Architects

 

A 5,650-square-foot residential compound has a bold presence on both street and waterfront elevations. Strong architectural features protrude toward the street to define and divide spatial areas while drawing guests into its forecourt. Climb up the feature floating staircase to find the entrance of the residence and opulent Great Room. Inside, oak flooring and live slab wood table tops bring warm tones to the modernly stark appointed living room. A free-standing feature wall separates the living from dining areas in the open Great Room as the ceiling heights vary in adjacent rooms to create an intricate exterior building silhouette. The Great Room is amplified with twelve-foot-tall sliding glass doors topped with a clerestory band to fill the space with light. Opening the doors allows the party to flow outside to a covered patio space overlooking a large pool and spa, beach-scaped yard and coastal waters beyond. The rear of the residence faces an island preserve natural backdrop. The basin between the house and island serves as a deep water mooring for sailboats that peacefully tack in the breezes. The windows facing this serenity unwind occupants like the master bedroom suite, home office space and living rooms to decouple the stresses of commercial life. Wood ceiling elements and vertical wood feature walls warm the stark grey and white exterior as tropical sand, palms and plantings bring beach vibes to poolside living. A glassed observation deck on the roof gives the owners a better view of the island preserve to the east and a view of sunsets over the Gulf every evening to the west.

Architect: Mark Sultana, AIA, NCARB. Contractor: Voigt Brothers Construction. Builder: Voigt Brothers Construction Interior Design: April White, Allied ASID Kitchen Cabinets: Main Street Kitchen and Bath. Bathroom: Main Street Kitchen and Bath Carpets and Flooring: Sticks & Stones Flooring / Design Works . Landscape: Borden Landscape Design Pool By: Water Designs of Sarasota Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography.

 

Best Overall Home— Over $2 Million

HOME OF THE YEAR GOLD

Lido Beach House

Perrone Construction

This was designed around the idea of creating a family vacation home with a sense of barefoot elegance; it also needed to feel modern with a traditional British West Indies aesthetic on the exterior. The home sits on a pie-shaped lot and needed to come up quite a bit to meet the elevation requirements. The stilt house effect of this was seemingly eliminated through subtle grade change in the front yard. The house/landscape interaction was so important to creating the curb appeal on the home and, without this change, the home would certainly not have had the curb appeal it does. The home promotes indoor/outdoor living with fully pocketing sliders, which completely open the kitchen to the outdoor living room with roll-down bug screens. The decks are terrazzo and the outdoor living room has a cast-concrete fireplace and countertops inlaid with shell, which, combined with the brightly colored outdoor furniture, give these spaces a decidedly modern and fun feel, which seems perfectly at home against the backdrop of the West Indies architecture with its metal roof and brightly colored louvered shutters. The common areas of the home are large and open to one another, providing excellent flow for family gatherings. We’ve built a lot of homes in our 38 years but this is the first where it seems like someone would stop on a daily basis and give a compliment on it.

Architect: Clifford M. Scholz Architects  Contractor: Perrone Construction Builder: Perrone Construction Interior Design: Holly Dennis Interiors Kitchen Cabinets: Elegance in Wood Bathroom: Oracle Services Carpets and Flooring: Paramount Sontes Brothers / / Britton’s Carpet One Landscape: DWY Landscape Architects Pool By: Fox Pools  Photographer: Ricky Perrone

 

Best Overall Home— Over $2 Million

HOME OF THE YEAR SILVER

British West Indies Home 

Clifford M. Scholz Architects

This two-story British West Indies style residence consists of 7,000 square feet of conditioned space located on the end of a 19,283-square-foot canal property on Lido Key. The property has challenging non-parallel boundary lines, which leave a broad front property exposure but a reduced property line exposure on the east water side. In order to provide for water sightlines from all of the waterside rooms, the solution was to literally take the north master suite wing and crank it at a 30-degree angle to the balance of the residence. This provided optimum waterside views from all of the eastern exposure rooms in the house. Our client enjoys family activities at the house and cooking together. The indoor/outdoor connection between the family/kitchen area and the outdoor family room was vitally important both for cooking/entertaining indoors and outdoors. The pool deck was elevated to be at the same level as the activity areas to simplify the level changes and cross-usage. The overall exterior design of the home is a more formalized British West Indies with a relaxed and open floor plan. Each of the bedroom suites was designed to be self-contained for the family and guest’s comfort. This client is one of the most enjoyable clients we have interacted with. A pleasure when the client let’s the professionals do their jobs and give freedom of creative design. The result shows.

Architect: Clifford M. Scholz Architects  Contractor: Perrone Construction Builder: Perrone Construction Interior Design: Holly Dennis Interiors Kitchen Cabinets: Elegance in Wood Bathroom: Oracle Services Carpets and Flooring: Paramount Sontes Brothers / / Britton’s Carpet One Landscape: DWY Landscape Architects Pool By: Fox Pools Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography

Islands Apart

Perrone Construction

Looking directly across shimmering Sarasota Bay at night there is no question as to why this owner had chosen this spot for his own personal resort—the city lights shine across the water and the skyline is alive. This home was built with a single inspiring idea—the owner wanted to create a home which would make him feel like he was at his favorite resort. The Cove Resort at Atlantis in the Bahamas was the inspiration, which took form with a transitional twist throughout this 8,200-square-foot British West Indies home. The juxtaposition of traditional West Indies exteriors with clean transitional interiors creates a sense of timelessness and modernity that feels very unique. You enter the home through a two-story foyer with a sculptural staircase carved wood wall that extends to the ceiling to join two whimsical chandeliers. It sets the scene for the rest of the home, but the view directly from the entrance across the bay to the Sarasota skyline is often the show-stealer. The ceiling details are varied from one room to the next and, with the ambient lighting hidden within them, set a soft glow of ambient light that creates a very cool atmosphere in the home. The pool area was another place where special focus was placed. There’s an outdoor living room overlooking it, complete with kitchen, misters and a fire pit, while the massive pool has a waterfall which falls from the first landing into the pool and a large spa which seems to float over the surface. 

Architect: Potvin Design Co. Contractor: Perrone Construction Interior Design: Riley Interior Design Kitchen Cabinets: Campbell Cabinetry Designs Pool By: Fox Pools Photographer: Ricky Perrone 

 

Best Overall Home— $1 – $2 Million

HOME OF THE YEAR PLATINUM

1140 Citrus Residence

Leader Design Studio and SAWA Design Studio

This 3,600-square-foot home is located in the Hudson Bayou neighborhood of Sarasota. The residents envisioned a warm, modern and sophisticated home designed to provide the feeling of living in their own private Selby Gardens. The home was designed to be respectful of the scale and context of the neighborhood, while simultaneously providing privacy for the residents. The 160-foot-long, inward-focused home meanders across the property and the architectural forms push and pull to define a series of exterior courtyards that are interwoven amongst the interior rooms. An entry courtyard, with a cantilevered ‘modern front porch,’ engages the neighborhood and features curved coconut palms, tropical plantings and a concrete stepping stone path. Visitors enter into a gallery space and are greeted with a long view across the pool courtyard. A water wall, painted vibrant pink, is the focal point of the courtyard and provides white noise from busy Bahia Vista. The master bedroom and bathrooms open to both a meditation garden and the pool courtyard, reinforcing the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. A den is situated to the front of the home and opens to the entry courtyard and front porch, providing an intimate and peaceful space to relax.

Architect: Christopher Leader | Leader Design Studio Contractor: Jim Meyer | J.M. Meyer Construction Corp. Builder: Jim Meyer | J.M. Meyer Construction Corp. Interior Design: SAWA Design Studio Kitchen Cabinets: Westwood Manufacturing Bathroom: Cabinets by Westwood Manufacturing Carpets and Flooring: Behr Snyder Inc. Landscape: DWY Landscape Architects Pool By: American Beauty Pools Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography Other: Furniture/Accessories: Home Resource, Ethnic Origin Company and Pansy Bayou Studio

 

Best Overall Home— $1 – $2 Million

HOME OF THE YEAR GOLD

Higel House 

Sweet Sparkman Architects

This house took shape from a request for a simple, energy-efficient, contemporary beach cottage. Between a flood zone requiring an elevated structure and a site adjacent to one of the busiest intersections on Siesta Key, the challenge to create a private, laidback environment was significant. Striking a balance between solid and void was paramount to achieving a light, airy, spatial quality. A careful eye was given to proportions—lifting the landscape to meet the entry stair kept the structure grounded, raising the window sills at the second floor compressed its height and utilizing a SIPS roofing system created a crisp, thin edge against the sky. Aesthetics aside, the SIPS roof provides substantial shading, insulation and a platform for a large solar array. The roof deck offers views of Roberts Bay and Big Sarasota Pass. The soaring, exposed concrete framework that supports the shiplap-clad roof was chosen with the aim of opening the house to take advantage of the cross breeze. Florida coral stone, terrazzo tile and white oak form a palette that seamlessly blends interior and exterior space. The resulting structure sits gently on the land, purposefully held back from the property edges to allow the landscape to envelope the architecture.

Architect: Sweet Sparkman Architects Contractor: Josh Wynne Construction Builder: Josh Wynne Construction Interior Design: SAWA Design Studio Landscape: Borden Landscape Design Pool By: Pools by Ron Schulz, Inc. Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography

 

Best Overall Home— $1 – $2 Million

SILVER

Phillippi Creek Residence

Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture

The residence sits on the banks of Phillippi Creek on a triangular-shaped lot. The expansive design takes full advantage of Florida’s agreeable climate. The living room wing, bedroom wing and detached garage together form a private courtyard around the pool, shielding the owners from both the street and the public waterway. The living room wing runs along the creek and opens to the long views over the small body of water. An exterior shaded gallery is part of the entry sequence and is on axis with a grand oak on the river’s bank. The office and guest room are reached along the courtyard and connected to the house by the gallery. A west-facing balcony perched over the entrance offers a viewing platform to catch views of the setting sun and to reconnect with the neighborhood.

Architect: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture Contractor: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture  Builder: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture  Interior Design: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture  Kitchen Cabinets: Lubé of Sarasota Bathroom: Jake Brady Concrete by Design Carpets and Flooring: Open Earth, Inc. Pool By: Fox Pools Photographer: William S. Speer Photography 

 

Best Overall Home— Under $1 Million

HOME OF THE YEAR PLATINUM

Venice Residence 

Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture

The 50-foot-wide site is one house removed from the Gulf of Mexico. The design takes advantage of two view corridors through the setbacks of neighboring lots. The living room looks through a gap to the northwest, while the kitchen enjoys the southwest view corridor. These views correspond respectively to the summer and winter sunsets. The beach can be reached by means of a private beach access between neighboring properties. The house is divided into two wings. The main living quarters are on the second floor to take advantage of the views. The ground floor accommodates the guest bedrooms, a small guest living room and entry foyer. The two wings are connected by a courtyard and a two-story exposed concrete wall along the main stairs. The elevated wing spans over the yard, creating a shaded space next to the courtyard while an exterior staircase revolves around and leads up to a breathtaking roof terrace.

Architect: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture Contractor: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture Builder: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture  Interior Design: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture Kitchen Cabinets: Lubé of Sarasota Bathroom: Lubé of Sarasota Carpets and Flooring: Floor SRQ Landscape: Borden Landscape Design Photographer: William S. Speer Photography 

 

Best Overall Home— Under $1 Million

HOME OF THE YEAR GOLD

TreeTop House

SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture

Situated on half an acre, this project was designed to reflect the owner’s desire for a minimalist home to both live and entertain. Set in a suburban neighborhood, the challenge was to maximize views of the adjacent creek while addressing the need for privacy. The sequence of arrival begins by crossing the stepping stones that lead over the entry pool and fountain. Once inside, the main living areas unfold without ever losing a connection to the water. Walls and windows are purposefully oriented to provide privacy while opening up to the surrounding nature. Sliding glass doors, vistas down long corridors and transom windows grant natural light throughout the course of the day. The centrally located kitchen, which opens to the dining and living room, features natural quartzite countertops and a glass-tile backsplash that continues the unembellished aesthetic. A distinctive modern stairway of solid cedar steps orchestrates the daily journey from public to private spaces upstairs while a playful landing overlooks the pool. To create natural cross-ventilation, sliding glass doors disappear within the walls to create an unobstructed view towards the pool terrace on one side and an outdoor deck on the other. The living experience extends to the outdoors, where wide overhangs and existing Mesic Hammock trees provide protection from the elements.

Architect: Jonathan Parks AIA Contractor: FHM Construction | Russ Torshkoev. Photographer: Greg Wilson Group and Ryan Gamma Photography

 

Best Overall Home— Under $1 Million

HOME OF THE YEAR SILVER

948 Citrus Residence

Leader Design Studio and SAWA Design Studio

Built on spec in the historic Hudson Bayou neighborhood, the goal for this project was to create a warm, transitional modern home. Located on a modest-sized infill lot, the home is thoughtfully scaled and carefully composed to be respectful of the context of the neighborhood. A warm color palette and contextual materials accent the clean lines and simple composition of this home. The façade features lap siding, standing seam metal roofing, smooth stucco and stained cypress tongue and groove soffits. At 3,400 square feet of indoor living space, the home is positioned to provide a front yard featuring a modern front porch with exposed cypress beams. Abundant windows provide natural daylighting and cross-ventilation throughout the interior of the home. The open-concept living room opens onto a large covered porch and west-facing pool courtyard. The home features first and second floor master suites, opening to the pool courtyard. Custom-fabricated cypress screen walls provide privacy for the first and second floor porches, while maintaining natural light and airflow.

Architect: Leader Design Studio Contractor: Edgewater Contractors Inc. Builder: Edgewater Contractors Inc. Interior Design: SAWA Design Studio Kitchen Cabinets: Sarasota Architectural Woodworking Bathroom: Cabinets by Sarasota Architectural Woodworking Carpets and Flooring: Porcelanosa Landscape: Borden Landscape Design Pool By: Bulldog Pools Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography 

 

Best Kitchen

HOME OF THE YEAR PLATINUM

1140 Citrus Residence

Leader Design Studio and SAWA Design Studio

The kitchen sits as the centerpiece of this home and the open plan was designed to connect the kitchen to the living and dining areas, while simultaneously capturing views of the pool courtyard to the south and the home’s private gardens to the north. Custom painted white cabinets and quartz counters clad the L-shaped perimeter of the kitchen and conceal an appliance garage with pocketing doors, full-height pantry cabinets and integrated paneled appliances. A downdraft range hood, under-cabinet LED strip lights and recessed finger pulls on the cabinets reduce visual clutter, emphasizing the Calcutta gold marble backsplash and back-painted satin glass upper cabinets. The sink is set on the perimeter of the kitchen in front of a large picture window providing for natural daylight and views to the home’s private gardens. A 16-foot-long glass wall opposes the kitchen and allows expansive views to the pool courtyard and access to the covered porch from the kitchen. The centerpiece of the kitchen is a meticulously crafted 13-foot-long island. The island, designed for prep/entertaining and also eat-in dining, is clad in natural-finished rift cut white oak panels and honed gray quartz counters that visually anchor the kitchen. The work area of the island is distinguished from the eat-in dining space by a recess in the countertop. Stools can be located on both sides of the island, allowing the owners to sit in the kitchen and look out to the pool courtyard. Overhead, three elegant Aplomb concrete pendant lights further define the eat-in dining space. The result is a modern yet timeless kitchen that anchors the living space and engages its natural surroundings.

Architect: Christopher Leader | Leader Design Studio Contractor: Jim Meyer | J.M. Meyer Construction Corp. Builder: Jim Meyer | J.M. Meyer Construction Corp. Interior Design: SAWA Design Studio Kitchen Cabinets: Westwood Manufacturing Bathroom: Cabinets by Westwood Manufacturing Carpets and Flooring: Behr Snyder Inc. Landscape: DWY Landscape Architects Pool By: American Beauty Pools Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography Other: Furniture/Accessories: Home Resource, Ethnic Origin Company and Pansy Bayou Studio 

 

Best Kitchen

HOME OF THE YEAR GOLD

948 Citrus Residence

Leader Design Studio and SAWA Design Studio

The concept ground-floor plan features the sophisticated kitchen at the core of the home and is ideal for entertaining and everyday living. The kitchen sits as the bridge between the open-plan living/dining room and a private den, which can be closed off with two large pocket doors. Custom cabinets, painted soft gray, are color matched to the honed quartz countertops. The sink is set on the perimeter of the kitchen in front of a large picture window with floating white oak shelves, allowing for natural daylight and views to the tropical landscape, while keeping the island unfettered for eat-in dining and entertaining. Integrated and paneled appliances reduce visual clutter. The focal point of the kitchen is the floating wall that houses the range. The vent hood, wrapped in a black surround, is flanked by natural-finished rift cut white oak upper cabinets, and a Calcutta gold marble backsplash. Under cabinet LED strip lights wash the backsplash and a floating metal shelf spans wall-to-wall. Overhead, three Castle concrete pendant lights anchor the kitchen island and a white oak back panel provides a durable finish below the island seating. Black hardware and fixtures complete the composition and provide continuity with the finishes throughout the house.

Architect: Leader Design Studio Contractor: Edgewater Contractors Inc. Builder: Edgewater Contractors Inc. Interior Design: SAWA Design Studio Kitchen Cabinets: Sarasota Architectural Woodworking Bathroom: Cabinets by Sarasota Architectural Woodworking Carpets and Flooring: Porcelanosa Landscape: Borden Landscape Design Pool By: Bulldog Pools Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography 

 

Best Kitchen

HOME OF THE YEAR SILVER

Anna Maria Residence

Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture

Placed towards the back end of the house, the kitchen opens up towards the dining room as well as the living spaces (both interior and exterior). Elevated up above the exterior pool balcony and street level, the kitchen maintains clear sightlines out towards the bay. High-gloss white Porcelanosa cabinetry is used throughout to complement the darker wood ceiling above. Additional lighting around the perimeter of the ceiling is used to further ascent the floating ceiling. An oversized kitchen island grounds the space as both a social gathering spot to entertain as well as providing ample amounts of additional working surfaces. 

Architect: Mark Sultana, AIA, NCARB Contractor: Voigt Brothers Construction Builder: Voigt Brothers Construction Interior Design: Client Kitchen Cabinets: Main Street Kitchen and Bath Bathroom: Main Street Kitchen and Bath Carpets and Flooring: Design Works  Landscape: Mullet Brothers  Pool By: Water Designs of Sarasota Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography Other: Junior Architect, Scott Gross, DSDG Architects

 

Best Bathroom

HOME OF THE YEAR PLATINUM

Compound Q

DSDG Architects

Gaze out onto a tropical green Zen garden from underneath a thick layer of soap bubbles and feel the tranquility. The owners of this 180-square-foot bathroom wanted their master suite to be surrounded by luscious green vegetation for privacy and a resort spa-like serenity. To bring the landscaping inside, 10-foot-tall storefront glass walls open the bathroom entirely to nature. Large format concrete wall tiles were used to anchor the bathroom from visually spilling outside. The concrete weights the room visually to give the sensation of privacy needed in a bathroom. Stark white fixtures topped with white quartz countertops and white lacquered floating cabinetry reflect light and airiness in the space. Wood tile warms the bathroom and brings out the brown tones in the concrete. Enhancing the porcelain freestanding tub and filler is a curvaceous chandelier hovering above. The organic curves mimic the palm fronds of a Licuala palm found outside in the Zen garden, bringing the outside in.

Architect: Mark Sultana, AIA, NCARB Contractor: Voigt Brothers Construction Builder: Voigt Brothers Construction Interior Design: Client Kitchen Cabinets: Main Street Kitchen and Bath Bathroom: Main Street Kitchen and Bath Carpets and Flooring: Design Works  Landscape: Mullet Brothers  Pool By: Water Designs of Sarasota Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography Other: Junior Architect, Scott Gross, DSDG Architects

 

Best Great Room

HOME OF THE YEAR PLATINUM

1140 Citrus Residence

Leader Design Studio and SAWA Design Studio

The open-floor-plan living room is centrally located, sitting as the centerpiece of the house and gardens. The living room opens to a covered porch and projects into the south-facing pool courtyard. The space is intimately scaled and thoughtfully crafted to feel distinct, yet open and interconnected. A sophisticated and subtle palette of warm, natural materials are used throughout the home. Satin-finished white oak floors were chosen for their warmth and beauty while smooth white walls are carefully planned to feature the client’s contemporary art collection. The light-filled living room features 13-foot ceilings. Floor-to-ceiling glass faces the pool courtyard, bringing the outdoors in, and west-facing clerestory windows wrap over the TV/bookcase wall to capture views of the sunset sky. The TV is set upon a gray porcelain tile backdrop, to minimize the visual impact. The result is a classy, organic-modern home, set into its own tropical paradise.

Architect: Christopher Leader | Leader Design Studio Contractor: Jim Meyer | J.M. Meyer Construction Corp. Builder: Jim Meyer | J.M. Meyer Construction Corp. Interior Design: SAWA Design Studio Kitchen Cabinets: Westwood Manufacturing Bathroom: Cabinets by Westwood Manufacturing Carpets and Flooring: Behr Snyder Inc. Landscape: DWY Landscape Architects Pool By: American Beauty Pools Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography Other: Furniture/Accessories: Home Resource, Ethnic Origin Company and Pansy Bayou Studio

 

Best Remodel | Renovation

HOME OF THE YEAR PLATINUM

SIESTA KEY HOME

Seibert Architects PA

This house was originally designed in 1958. Since then, the architects have executed its present design with renovations in both 1972 and 2016. The present design creates an honest relationship with the original mid-century modern architecture by visually extending the interior to the exterior with a bold open plan and expansive glass walls that optimize outdoor views of the waterway. The initial renovation in the early ‘70s updated the kitchen and existing foyer as well as added a master bedroom suite above the existing garage. The most recent renovation, completed in 2016, consisted of an ending to deferred maintenance, replacing stucco with original wood siding, updating interior finishes, pruning existing trees, replacing damaged wood framing and adjacent surfaces, replacing the broken heaved concrete driveway with limestone gravel, providing a new landscape plan, providing a drainage plan, updating the building color and new roofing. Several of the original terrazzo floors had been tiled or carpeted. The tile and carpet were removed, and the terrazzo was refinished. Demolishing a considerable amount of the existing terrazzo floors allowed the obsolete underslab plumbing to be replaced. Much of the existing interior tile work was refurbished, patched and repaired. Interior cypress paneling was stripped of older finishes, and a new stain was applied. Non-functioning sliding glass doors were made operable while the six-inch glass jalousie windows were preserved. Today the house is fully functional with the resourcefulness of preserving and nourishing existing materials, a coordinated effort that included the owner, the contractor, the interior designer and the architect.

Architect: Samuel C. Holladay, AIA Contractor: Yoder Homes Interior Design: Pamela R. Holladay, ASID, Seibert Architects PA Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography Other: Ortiz Tropical Landscapes and Gardening

 

Best Remodel | Renovation

HOME OF THE YEAR GOLD

Siesta Key Condo

Renovation

Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture

The condominium is on the 14th-floor of this Terrace Building, originally designed in 1969. The two bedrooms and two baths corner unit was fully renovated to maximize the use of space. A fifteen-foot-long kitchen counter cantilevers to become the dining table. The counter was built in a single pour without a seam. A large uninterrupted ribbed plywood surface covers most of the living space and folds to conceal the media wall. This outsized folded surface ties the condo unit together and provides warmth. All mechanical, lighting and entertainment systems remain discreet. The TV is concealed behind large pivoting wood panels flush with plywood wall finish. The plywood consists of thin laminated and ribbed bamboo sections, giving the entire surface a strong texture. Judicious use of lighting increases the perceived dimensions of the space and creates four zones within the same unified room. In this new design-build condominium renovation, the light is reflected off wood, porcelain tiles, white painted surfaces and the smooth concrete to help highlight the clarity of the design. LED lighting was incorporated into the edge around the ceiling’s perimeter to emphasize the bamboo laminations.

Architect: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture Contractor: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture Builder: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture Interior Design: Halflants + Pichette Studio for Modern Architecture Kitchen Cabinets: European Design Center Bathroom: Jake Brady Concrete by Design Carpets and Flooring: Sticks & Stones Flooring Photographer: William S. Speer Photography 

 

Best Landscape | Outdoors | Pool

HOME OF THE YEAR PLATINUM

TreeTop House

SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture

This house is so named because the home is carefully elevated to the tree canopy level. Primary vistas to the east and southeast offer water views framed by the existing Mesic Hammock trees native to this part of Florida. Set in a suburban neighborhood, the challenge was to maximize exterior landscape views while addressing the need for privacy. To achieve this, we invited nature indoors with a sequence of arrival that begins on a canopy road and continues past entry water elements, which emerge from the home to greet visitors and provide a visual connection to the pool and creek beyond. Once inside, the main living areas unfold without ever losing a connection to water. Walls and windows are purposefully placed to provide privacy while opening up to water and sky. The sloping site, existing vegetation and new landscaping elements are critical to the overall design of this project in which all the main spaces have a link to the outdoors.

Architect: Jonathan Parks AIA Contractor: FHM Construction | Russ Torshkoev Photographer: Greg Wilson Group and Ryan Gamma Photography 

 

Best Sustainability | Green

HOME OF THE YEAR PLATINUM

1140 Citrus Residence

Leader Design Studio and SAWA Design Studio

Achieving a National Green Building Standard Gold rating, this home merges energy efficient systems with thoughtful passive design techniques. The backbone of the house is a high-performance building envelope. Composed of insulated, thermally-broken storefront windows, a highly reflective energy star TPO “cool” roof with R-30 spray foam insulation and concrete block walls filled with bio-based core-fill insulation, the home had the lowest air-infiltration rate of any structure ever tested in the region by two independent testing agencies. Energy efficient building systems in this home include three high-efficiency, variable-speed zoned air conditioning systems, gas tankless hot water heating and LED lighting controlled by a Lutron lighting control system. Water use is limited with low-flow plumbing fixtures, dual flush toilets and an efficient drip irrigation system, while energy efficiency is maximized with energy star appliances. An in-wall pest control system eliminates the need for pesticides in the house, and low VOC paints and adhesives were utilized for superior indoor air quality. Passive design techniques include a large overhang to shade south-facing glass and reduce heat gain, high clerestory windows to provide natural daylight and limit the need to utilize indoor lighting, and strategically located operable windows and doors for passive ventilation. The house was pre-planned to easily add a photovoltaic system, and an electric car charging station in the future.

Architect: Christopher Leader | Leader Design Studio Contractor: Jim Meyer | J.M. Meyer Construction Corp. Builder: Jim Meyer | J.M. Meyer Construction Corp. Interior Design: SAWA Design Studio Kitchen Cabinets: Westwood Manufacturing Bathroom: Cabinets by Westwood Manufacturing Carpets and Flooring: Behr Snyder Inc. Landscape: DWY Landscape Architects Pool By: American Beauty Pools Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography Other: Furniture/Accessories: Home Resource, Ethnic Origin Company and Pansy Bayou Studio 

 

Best Sustainability | Green

HOME OF THE YEAR GOLD

Higel House

Sweet Sparkman Architects

Sustainability was a primary focus in this home, with the clients adamant on a home that minimized impacts on the land and our infrastructure. The goal was to create the home in such a way to reduce dependence on human infrastructure and also mitigate risks related to hurricanes and other storms. They balanced the need for views, passive lighting and passive ventilation with the need to conserve energy by using ultra-high-performance windows and glass. The HVAC system is engineered and tested to its maximum performance and efficiency using the latest technology. Extra-long eaves were used to help shade the windows from west light on both floors of the home. Glass was minimized on the southern elevations. The roof is designed with an ultra-high-efficiency Structural Insulated Panel System that is not only very strong, but creates the ultimate insulated air barrier. Indoor spaces feature easy-to-clean, seamless finishes such as terrazzo floors, flush trim and level 5 paperless drywall, adding durability as well as reflective surfaces to bounce natural light. Fully automated, LED lighting picks up where nature leaves off. Only Water Sense fixtures were used to conserve water. The landscape is designed to reduce dependency on irrigation and the irrigation system itself is an advanced design that minimizes consumption and maximizes efficiency. This home is Certified Emerald under the National Green Building System and is Certified Zero Energy. With a HERS index of -25, this home is among the most energy-efficient homes ever constructed in the United States according to RESNET + Energy Star.

Architect: Sweet Sparkman Architects Contractor: Josh Wynne Construction Builder: Josh Wynne Construction Interior Design: SAWA Design Studio Landscape: Borden Landscape Design Pool By: Pools by Ron Schulz, Inc. Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography 

Best Sustainability | Green

HOME OF THE YEAR SILVER

TreeTop House

SOLSTICE Planning and Architecture

Through design elements and a focus on nature, this ultra-modern home goes back to basics with its setting by using shade, natural ventilation, local materials and sympathy with the landscape. The challenge was to provide a cohesive design interwoven with the subtropical site, while also providing a comfortable indoor/outdoor environment for the family to live and entertain. Only Florida-native and drought-tolerant plants were used, and rainwater was managed with an eco-friendly yard maintenance program protecting the adjacent creek from nutrient runoff through a series of catch basins to limit the speed and amount. Additional rainwater is managed through low-sloped swales to speed absorption and minimize erosion. Operable windows and sliding doors were strategically placed to allow for passive heating, cooling, ventilation and natural daylighting. This required the dependency on mechanical systems for comfort. These planning features work together with the automated control systems to contribute to the house’s low energy usage and enhanced livability. Ultimately this home unifies the design and engineering with a common sense approach to create a truly sustainable house with an emphasis on comfort and efficiency. Advanced technologies such as smart home energy controls and electrochromic glazing reduce energy usage and avoid the need for blinds. Green aspects include energy-efficient windows, LED lighting and Energy Star appliances. A strategically insulated building envelope minimizes the use of air conditioning and low-flow plumbing fixtures conserve water. The result is a sustainable design where light and form work harmoniously with nature to enhance the site while remaining partner to its context.

Architect: Jonathan Parks AIA Contractor: FHM Construction | Russ Torshkoev Photographer: Greg Wilson Group and Ryan Gamma Photography 

 

Meet the 2018 HOTY Judges

 

Stephanie Gaines

Curts Hall Jones, Tampa

Stephanie December Gaines joined Curts Gaines Hall Jones in 1984 and has been a principal of the firm since 1992. Prior to joining CGHJ, her professional experience included historic preservation of national landmark buildings, luxury custom residences, US Department of Housing and Urban Development-financed housing and state government agency projects in Louisiana. Gaines’ special interest in urban renewal and historic preservation has led to an extensive personal commitment to the preservation and revitalization of historic urban communities, as well as the design of historic adaptive reuse and new urban in-fill projects for mixed uses including retail, business, restaurant and residential. She has a particular fondness for providing architectural services for single home owners because of the personal relationships fostered and the process of creating for the unique owners of the home.

David Poorman

David Poorman Architect, Naples

David Poorman is a “near” native of Florida who arrived here in 1972. A er receiving a bachelor of design at University of Florida, Poorman earned his master’s in Architecture from Princeton University. He lived for 10 years in Downtown Chicago, working and traveling for Perkins and Will and then for David Woodhouse Architects. A design project for an internationally known Illinois arboretum convinced him that the Florida landscape was personally more inspiring and he returned to his Florida roots in 2001. In 2010, Poorman established David Poorman Architect, an award-winning firm specializing in small-scale residential and commercial projects. His work continues to be inspired and informed by Florida’s natural resources and immemorial beauty.